The Open Gate was an idea born at the Jesuit House of Prayer in the mountains of western North Carolina in 2000. We had no idea where the Holy Spirit would lead us but knew we had to listen, pray and trust. The fall of 2003 was a watershed event in our search for what could be! Our journey led us to The Holy Island of Lindesfarne, England to the Isle of Iona in Scotland and to Glendalough Ireland as we continued the discernment process of what a retreat house and place of hospitality and sacred space might look like where we could also incorporate the traditions of our community. In humble awe of our holy and peaceful surroundings, we prayed that such a place could be built here in Florida.
The center is named in honor of the The Open Gate Retreat House on Holy Island, Lindesfarne, founded by St. Aidan. Our host was the well-known author on Celtic Christian Spirituality and History, Rev. Ray Simpson, founder of the community of St. Aidan and St. Hild. Our sojourn to the Catholic retreat House on the island of Iona, the home of St. Columba, and to Glendalough, the home of St. Kevin, reaffirmed what we had already come to realize at Holy Island. They are all truly thin places where "Heaven and Earth meet."
The land that was finally chosen here in North Central Florida was literally revealed to us in March of 2004. From the beginning, our plans were designed to maximize a care for the earth, using environmentally responsible construction and energy efficient operations. In February 2007 we opened our doors and hearts to our first retreatants.
We can only humbly thank Rev. Ray Simpson, Sister Jean of the Iona Retreat House and Sisters Kathleen and Mary in Glendalough at Saint Kevin's Hermitage for their kindness, warmth, sharing of history, and last but certainly not least their graced and blessed gift of unbounded hospitality. The Open Gate Retreat Center hopes in some way to live up to the gifts passed on from all of them. With the help of The Holy Trinity, God the Father, God The Son, God the Holy Spirit may we humbly attempt this mission to serve. |
Our Community
THE RULE "The Rule of the Brothers and Sisters is the cross of our Lord Jesus Chirst. We should be troubled about nothing except this all encompassing rule. All that matters is that one be created anew."
The Brothers and Sisters of Charity is a unique canonical community within the Roman Catholic Church, in that we are one community with various, integrated expressions. The Monastic Expression lives at our Motherhouse, the Little Portion Hermitage in Berryville, Arkansas. It is composed of celibate brothers and sisters, singles, couples and married families. The Domestic Expression lives out the vision of the community with a monastic heart in their own homes and through their particular vocation in life. Both expressions live by one Rule and Constitution, and all professed members embrace with covenant promises to God, the Church and the community, the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience according to their state of life.
The Open Gate is a personal calling and private Apostolic mission that has received the blessing of our community. Ongoing discernment in prayer, discussion and listening to advice that was full of wisdom from within and outside the community over a period of four years confirmed our calling. Our state of life as Brothers and Sisters of Charity had a profound influence on this desire to serve and be a place of hospitality, quiet, and gathering for Catholic parishes, communities and Ecumenical groups.
We welcome your questions about the Brothers and Sisters of Charity or please visit the main website at www.littleportion.org
May God bless you and keep you all of your days,
Hugh (Br Aidan Columba) and Carole (Sr Mary Francis), BSCD |
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